From two small vineyards that stood out for their ability to capture true McLaren Vale chocolate, spices and an amazing depth of red fruits and blackberry.

Mrs Wigley was not the wife of Wirra Wirra founder, Robert Strangways Wigley, but in fact a neighbouring cat that took up residence in the winery open top fermenters. The rosé show aromas of fresh strawberry and cherry and a crisp palate of light spice and a lingering dry finish.

Geoff Merrill's winery in the Mt Hurtle south of Adelaide has been making wines that express variety, vintage and terroir with as little intervention from the winemaker as possible. Full bodied with good tanins and intense fruit and spice characters, the elegance and harmony of this Cabernet Sauvignon are allowed to shine.

Church Block first appeared back in 1972 under the watchful eye of Greg Trott and was taken by one of the original vineyards that ran alongside the small Bethany Church, across the road from Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars. Over the last 4 decades, it has become one of Australia's favourites. The 2005 Church Block is showing just what a little patience can do. After six years, the velvet texture is the dominant feature with integrated tannin taking a backseat.

With its boisterous berry flavours and hallmark tannin structure, this wine hailed us down like a vocal New Yorker at rush hour. We fastidiously selected each barrel for this wine whereby it affectionately became known as the '1st off the rank'. With the lovely palate length and balance that make Cabernet Sauvignon 'king', it is full-bodied yet is no West Coast wanna-be. Made from fastidiously selected barrels, we are quietly confident that it will be the first wine you'll want to jump into at any lineup. Rich plum and blackcurrant flavours swerve into savoury liquorice and cedar notes, followed by a friendly toot of thyme .

The 2018 d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Merlot Cab Franc from McLaren Vale is a true gem from one of South Australia’s most esteemed wineries. With a deep ruby colour and a rich, complex bouquet of dark berries, vanilla, and cedar, this wine is a feast for the senses. On the palate, flavours of blackcurrant, plum, and spice are balanced by smooth tannins and a hint of oak. The addition of Cabernet Franc adds a touch of elegance and depth to the blend. This vintage is drinking beautifully now but also has the potential for further ageing. Pair it with a hearty beef dish or enjoy on its own to fully appreciate its full-bodied and velvety smooth texture. A true masterpiece from d’Arenberg, this wine is a must-try for any serious wine lover.

Part of Two Hands super-premium, single vineyard range, this classic McLaren Shiraz style has nuanced blueberry, mocha and spice characters. Always made to be plush, rich and smooth, the Lily's Garden never seems to be void of any complexity though. Super long length and superb tannin structure also help the McLaren Vale beauty truly sing.

Naturally fermented from Australian honey, Daringa Mead possesses an intense aroma of honeycomb and wax, like birthday candles. The palate is unctuous and flavour-rich. This is a big, sticky, spicy old-school mead.

Leconfield regularly produce fine full flavoured Shiraz. This release from McLaren Vale shows spicy berry-like varietal character with some minty-chocolately regional hints balanced tannins and well judged oak.

The Nosey Parker simply delivers in spades. Swathes of sweetly spiced blackberry woven with pencil shaving oak, backed up by a rich, powerfully long palate. The Nosey is a very versatile wine in that it is perfectly suited to be enjoyed on its own or is equally at home when paired with rich and flavoursome cuisine.